Crime in New York City is growing out of control and yesterday, Ghostbusters actor and “accountant” Rick Moranis was the city’s latest victim of random violence.
“It was reported to police that on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 0724 hours, a 67-year-old male victim was walking southbound on Central Park West in the vicinity of West 70th Street, when an unidentified male struck him in the head with a closed fist, knocking the victim to the ground,” the NYPD said. “The unidentified male then fled northbound on foot. The victim suffered from pain to the head, back, and right hip and traveled by private means to an area hospital for evaluation, before reporting the incident to police at the NYPD 20th Precinct.”
That man was later identified as Moranis, who also starred in Honey I Shrunk the Kids.
In September, the crime rate in New York City grew again, with a 75% increase in crime over September 2019.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD Crimestoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @ NYPDTips.
“September 2020 surpassed all previous Septembers with the highest number of gun arrests since we began tracking CompStat in 1994. Year-to-date, gun arrests are up 7% citywide (2,801 v. 2628). For the month of September 2020 across all five boroughs, gun arrests increased 98% (607 v. 307) when compared to 2019, as officers focused on the drivers of serious crime and taking illegal firearms off the streets of NYC. NYPD officers have achieved this record level of enforcement despite the approximately 2,500 officer reduction in manpower—from attrition and no new academy classes—as well as a 59% cut to the uniformed overtime budget,” the New York Police Department said.
For the month of September 2020, there was an increase in the number of shooting incidents across the city (152 v. 67). The number of people murdered citywide increased (51 v. 29) for the month. The number of robberies decreased (1,180 v. 1,329) and burglaries increased (1,255 v. 912) for the month. During September 2020, overall index crime increased 2% from 8,744 to 8,952.
The NYPD’s efforts to address citywide spikes in shootings include reassigning officers to areas experiencing upticks in violence, zeroing in on the drivers of crime, strengthening community partnerships at a grassroots level, and preventing future crimes through preventative measures and timely intelligence.
“Despite the unparalleled challenges they face every day, our officers continue to engage with the community and zero in on the drivers of crime,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “I thank the men and women of the NYPD who work relentlessly, day-in and day-out, to keep New Yorkers in every neighborhood safe. We will continue to address crime upticks and work in close partnership with the residents we are sworn to serve.”
Key highlights from this month’s crime statistics:
- Murder is up +40% (344 v. 246) for the first nine months of 2020 when compared to the first nine months of 2019.
- There were 152 citywide shooting incidents in September 2020, compared to 67 shooting incidents in September 2019, a +127% increase. Year-to-date, through September 30, there has been a +91% spike in citywide shooting incidents (1,163 v. 608).
- Burglary increased +38% (1,255 v.912) in September and is up +42% (11,252 v. 7,920) year-to-date through September 30.
- For the month of September, reported rape decreased 19% (139 v. 172). Rape continues to be underreported. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The NYPD Special Victims Division’s 24-hour hotline is 212-267-RAPE (7273).
- Year-to-date, through September 27, citywide hate crimes declined -33% (206 v. 308)